Shirley Temple, I Miss You

Whether you know her as Bright Eyes, Heidi, Dimples, or simply the most adorable curly-haired girl to sing and dance her way into movies, Shirley Temple was America's original Sweetheart. The actress (and, later, diplomat) died Monday night at the age of 85, but we're certain no one will ever forget the legacy of her infectious smile, precocious attitude, and of course, signature ringlets.

Temple was a child star and Hollywood icon long before twerking scandals or underage DUIs. When the country was defeated by the Depression, she made it laugh. And against the impoverished backdrop of the 1930s, there was something so fancifully cheerful and optimistic about her perfect, bouncy curls. Maybe it's a bit of an exaggeration to say that a head of almost artificially flawless spirals (56, according to The New York Times) could lift people's moods, but at the very least, those curls became synonymous with Temple's sweet, innocent image. And whenever she bounced effervescently across a stage, her curls bounced right along with her.

Growing up with a poof of my own ringlets and a penchant for wearing tap shoes, Temple was my pre-pre-teen celebrity role model. I shuffle-ball-changed my way through childhood and learned the words to "On The Good Ship Lollipop" before I knew what devil's food cake was. From one curly girl to another, Shirley, I miss you.